Page 37 of The Right Guy
I tapped answer, left him on the bed and darted to the sitting room.
“Princess, how was the ball?” she asked with a cheery sing-song.
“Mother, there’s something important I need to discuss with you,” I replied urgently.
“He went with you, didn’t he?”
“Who?”
“Theo. I love that man. He’s so handsome and kind.”
“Why do you like him so much, Mother?”
“Because you love him, and he loves you.”
“I don’t get it. Why are you pushing me toward Theo when we both know I’ll never be able to marryhim?” Just as the words fell out of my mouth, Theo appeared at my side. A lock of thick black hair draped his forehead, and twitchy whiskers failed to hide tight lips. He folded his arms over hischest and waited.
“I’ll call you later, Mother. I’ve got a lot to talk over with Theo.”
My breathing sped up. I flung the phone onto the couch and inched toward him. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Why did you come here last night?” That's what he asked, not why I couldn't marry him?
“Because I love you, Theo.”
“Even though you can’t marry me?”
“You haven't asked.”
“I would ask if I thought you’d say yes, but something is telling me not to waste my time.”
“Look, aren’t we getting ahead of ourselves here? I’m in Uni, it’s not like you’re planning to ask me right away.” I stalled. “I mean, you might decide I’m annoying, and you don’t want to settle down with meafter all.”
“I already know you’re annoying.”
“Theo.”
I could sense his anger build when he strolled to the kitchen without uttering a word and roughly shoveled out a scoop of dog food for Poseidon.
“When the time comes, I will say yes, a thousand times over, no matter the consequences.” My mother probably thought I could let him go, but she was wrong. I would never give this man up. “You’re all I need.”
“Are you certain about that?” He set the bone-painted bowl on the floor and patted Poseidon’s dark head. “It was only a week ago that you were into Huxley.”
“You’re not being fair. I’ve already poured my heart out to you.”
“I’m not asking, by the way.” Theo crossed his bulky arms and propped his hip on the countertop. “Just so we’re clear on that. There was no proposal on the table.”
My palms flew to my cheeks. “Ever?”
“We just got together; let’s enjoy that for now. Anyway, you seem to have secrets I want to know first. I can’t marry someone who doesn’t trust me.”
Shaky hands floated to my stomach because I was about to reveal the truth. I swallowed hard and let it out in a flow of words. “I have to marry a rich guy when I finish college. It’s out of my control. Unless I walk away from everything. Which Iwill.For you. They want me to make an alliance with a wealthy, heartless asshole who doesn’t love me. A man who isn’t you.” I hugged myself tighter. “I don’t want that, ever. I don’t care about money, Theo. None of that matters when I have you, big guy. Just you and me, together.”
A slight smile lifted his mouth. “You think this is a fairytale, Ada?”
“What do you mean?”
“That you’ll walk away from your family, your future, your inheritance—your life, and we’ll live happily ever after?”
